As a Landlord What Am I Responsible For?

As a landlord you have many responsibilities when renting out a property. These include; 

• Ensuring that the property is free from significant hazards under the Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).


• The safety of gas and the electrical installation including any portable electrical equipment supplied as part of the tenancy, supplying the tenant with certificates where appropriate.


• The fire safety of furniture and furnishings provided under the tenancy.


• Providing tenants with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).


• Ensuring that tenants’ deposits are protected.


• Repairs to the structure and exterior of the property, heating, utility supplies, basins, sinks, baths and toilets (you should give your tenant 24 hours written notice before entering the property to do repairs, unless you agree with them otherwise or it is an emergency). 


• Landlords should pay for any repairs to a property due to general wear and tear.  The tenants’ deposit may, however, be used after a tenant has vacated the property to pay for any extra damage to the property caused by the tenant beyond fair wear and tear.


• A landlord should provide a property tenancy agreement, detailing how and when rent is to be paid. Rent levels can be increased if allowed for in the tenancy agreement.


• If rent is to be paid weekly, a rent book must be provided. 
   
• The landlord is required to ensure a working smoke alarm on each floor of the property at the start of the tenancy and a Carbon Monoxide Detector where there is a Gas/Oil boiler or appliance in the property or/and a solid fuel fire in the property. View the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 for further advice. 

You can view our Landlord Information page for further advice. 

As a Tenant What Am I Responsible For?

Tenants are responsible for certain areas of maintaining the property they are renting. These include;

• Make sure you follow all anti-social behaviour laws and do not create a nuisance e.g. excess noise.


• Bills for gas, electricity, or telephone if this has been agreed with the landlord.


• In most cases, paying the council tax, water and sewerage charges.


• Paying rent as agreed.


• Taking proper care of the property.


• Allowing the landlord reasonable time to carry out repairs.


• Providing access to the property for the landlord if a reasonable period of notice has been given (your landlord should give you 24 hours written notice, unless you agree otherwise or it is an emergency).


• Give the required notice, specified in the tenancy agreement, to end your tenancy.  
   
• Tenants have a duty to report repairs to their landlord as they arise and it is always advisable to do so in writing e.g. email.

You can view our Tenant Information page for further advice.